FORTY-ONE

Billie Jo stood in the shower and lifted her head. The warm water felt soothing as it splashed across her face. Feeling refreshed, she stepped onto the bath mat and towelled herself dry. Billie had returned home for the first time since Jamie had been taken into hospital. It was Valerie who had demanded she take a break.

'Go and have something to eat, freshen yourself up and get a change of clothes, Billie. When you come back, I'll do the same. If there's any news in the meantime, I'll call you,' she'd insisted.

Hearing her phone ring, Billie ran to answer it. Seeing the caller was Brenda, she allowed the answerphone to take the message.

'Billie, it's Brenda. I had to call you to let you know that I'm thinking of you. Danny's solicitor rang me to inform me that he's been arrested. I'm so sorry, Billie. I don't know what else to say to you.'

Billie deleted the message and got dressed. Apart from Valerie, who was going through the same emotions as she was, Billie didn't want to talk to anybody else. She hadn't even rung Jade.

Billie opened the fridge and glanced at the contents but quickly shut the door. The thought of eating made her feel ill. She had to know if Jamie was going to survive before she could face food again. Calling a cab, she made herself a coffee.

Hearing a toot, she rushed out of the house and nervously began her journey back to the hospital.

Michelle lay on her bunk and shut her eyes. Jane had a visit from her solicitor, which enabled Chelle some thinking time, alone. Her feelings were in overdrive and she was confused to say the least. She had never been into women before. Not once had she ever fancied a bird, but Jane was different. She was understanding, kind, caring and funny. Since Chelle had met Jane, the loneliness she'd felt for years had all but disappeared. She felt as if she had met someone that liked and accepted her for what she was. Chelle smiled to herself; only she could fall for someone that looked like Ray Winstone with tits. The girls down the gym would have a field day when they found out.

Hearing footsteps, Chelle looked expectantly at the door. As it opened and Jane walked in, the butterflies in her stomach began to somersault.

Billie was very near the hospital when her mobile began to ring. Seeing the name Valerie flash on the screen, she shook like a leaf.

'Hello. What's happened?'

Valerie was crying and laughing at the same time. 'He's woken up, Billie. He's OK, darling. He's gonna be just fine.'

'I'll be two minutes.'

Billie was too choked to say anything else. She needed to see Jamie, hear his voice, feel his touch. Only then would she believe he was all right.

Chucking a tenner at the cab driver, Billie dashed into the hospital. When she saw Valerie, she smiled. Valerie hugged Billie Jo tightly.

'The doctor said we can see him, Bill. I haven't been in. I want you to go in first.'

Half crying, half laughing, Billie held Valerie's hands.

'You're his mum, you go first and I'll go after.'

Valerie shook her head.

'No, Billie, you go. You've the love of his life, darling, and he'll be desperate to see you, not me.'

Grabbing Valerie's hand, Billie dragged her down the corridor. 'Let's go in together.'

Jamie was still half asleep when he saw his mother and Billie appear arm in arm. Wondering if he was hallucinating, he attempted to speak.

'My two favourite women,' he whispered.

Billie and Valerie sat either side of the bed, holding his hands. Jamie took stock of the situation. His mum and his girlfriend were now best buddies. Elated, he drifted back to sleep.

Within days of the start of Jamie's recovery, Danny O'Leary had been taken to court, refused bail and was travelling back to Brixton. He'd been charged with attempted murder. The reason he never got bail stood out like a sore thumb to his brief.

'They've got it in for you, Danny. You took the rap for Jimmy the Fish and the Old Bill have memories like elephants.'

Initially, on a come-down from his playboy lifestyle, Danny had been depressed. On learning he was on his way back to Brixton, he cheered up considerably. He was a face in there, a name. All the boys had loved him and best of all, he could hook up with his old pal Razor. Looking forward to being a hero again, Danny glared at the spotty-faced knob sitting opposite him.

'Who are you looking at, you fucking mug?'

The spotty boy looked away quickly and Danny smiled to himself. Attempted murder, not a bad CV. He'd be even more of a face now than the last time. Grinning, Danny pictured his old pals' faces when he told 'em he'd knifed the geezer who'd hit on his bird. He'd be treated like a fucking legend.

'Right, we're here, lads.'

Danny stood up as the engine cut out. Brushing himself down, he shoved the other lads out of the way. Head held high, he climbed confidently out of the van.

The speed of Jamie's recovery was nothing short of a miracle. His mother and Billie being inseparable was the best medicine he could have wished for. Less than a fortnight after the vicious attack, Jamie thanked the doctors and nurses who had undoubtedly saved his life and waved goodbye to Oldchurch Hospital. His mum had come to collect him, whilst Billie was at home attempting to cook a roast dinner to celebrate his homecoming.

Billie had made a little Welcome Home banner, which she'd placed outside the door. DJ had insisted on helping her colour it in and had ballsed it right up, bless him. Hearing a car, Billie ran over to the window.

Seeing Jamie's mum's Fiesta, she ran to the door, overjoyed. Jamie smiled. He was still fairly weak, his walking was slow, but within himself he felt on top of the world. His guvnor had been great. Not only had he visited him three times at the hospital, but he'd also demanded Jamie take three months off work on full pay.

'Jamie,' DJ screamed excitedly as he ran to greet his idol.

Fragile as he was, Jamie managed to scoop DJ into his arms. Smothering Jamie with kisses before he had even got through the door, Billie took his arm and led him to the sofa.

'I've put some pillows and a quilt there for you. You have a rest while me and your mum dish the dinner up.'

Jamie grinned. Billie was his purpose in life, his rock, but he was determined to wind her up.

'You know you can't cook, Bill. Don't fucking poison me, Oldchurch ain't expecting me back just yet.'

Swiping him with the tea towel, Billie skipped back to the kitchen.

Michelle picked up the letter, read it for the third time and put it back under her pillow. She and Billie Jo had been corresponding on a regular basis and Chelle now eagerly awaited her letters. This particular one had contained pictures of DJ. Chelle had never considered herself a gran in the past, but now things were different. Drunk she had cared about no one but herself, but sobriety had changed all that. Michelle had shed many tears whilst on the inside. Prison has an uncanny gift of making you study your mistakes and Chelle now knew that she had made many.

The death of Hannah Lennon and her treatment of Billie Jo were the two things that Chelle couldn't forgive herself for. She knew that they would haunt her until the day she died. Obviously, the Hannah situation was a no-go. Chelle had written a heartfelt letter to her family, but understandably had received no reply.

Billie Jo was a different story. In her letters, Billie was kind, sweet and loving and in her heart of hearts, Chelle knew that she didn't deserve Billie's forgiveness. Her obsession with Terry had forced her to push her daughter away and she would regret her behaviour for ever. Stifling her guilt, Chelle put her head under the pillow.

'You awake, Chelle?' asked a gruff voice.

Chelle smiled. Jane knew Michelle better than she knew herself and instinctively knew when to intervene.

'I've been looking at them photos of my grandson again. It's so weird, Jane, I don't even know him, but really he's a part of me. Granny Michelle, it seems so strange.'

Lifting her hefty frame off her bunk, Jane stretched out her muscular arms to Michelle and stroked the back of her head. Kissing her gently, she spoke as softly as her manly voice would allow.

'Everything's gonna be OK, babe. You've got me now and I will never let you down.'

Believing Jane's words, Chelle kissed her passionately.

After being searched, humiliated and spoken to like shit, Danny O'Leary went to find Razor.

He knew he'd find him in the gym. It was ten past six and Razor always trained between six and eight. Razor had the screws sewn up. He made sure they led a quiet life, on the condition that he could work out; if he couldn't, there'd be murder.

Waltzing into the gym like he owned the place, Danny spotted Razor immediately.

'Oi, oi, oi. I'm back, me old mucker.'

Sitting up, Razor put his weights to one side. 'Nice to see you, Dan.'

Danny stood grinning as Razor bowled towards him. His expression changed in seconds when Razor gripped his hand. The headbutt was enough to send Danny flying and the kick in the bollocks was excruciating. Throating up a mouthful of phlegm, Razor spat into Danny's face.

'Jimmy the Fish is my pal. You're a piece of shit, O'Leary. Only scum bites the hand that feeds 'em.'

As Razor left the gym, Danny tried to get up. Writhing in pain, he fell back on the floor and noticed a couple of inmates laughing at him.

'Who you fucking looking at?' he screamed, agitated.

Walking past Danny, the two geezers in question aimed a kick at him.

'You, you fucking mug.'

As the two fellas walked off laughing, Danny knew in that split second that he'd been taken back to Brixton for a reason!

Billie and Valerie looked at one another and smiled. Jamie had cleared his plate and the two women in his life were overjoyed by his appetite.

'Well, did you enjoy that?' Billie asked, expecting a compliment.

Jamie smiled. Billie's cooking had improved immensely, but he wasn't about to let on.

'It was edible. After all that old hospital food, even your cooking tastes good, Bill.'

Billie shot him an angry look. She had spent ages cooking that dinner. Then, seeing he was laughing, she started giggling herself.

Valerie squeezed Billie's arm.

'Take no notice of the cheeky little sod. I thoroughly enjoyed it, Billie. You're a lovely cook, darling.'

Billie smiled. 'Would you like another drink, Valerie?'

Valerie stood up. 'Nope, I've had two glasses. I'm going to do the washing-up and then I'm going home.'

'You're welcome to stay,' said Billie. 'Please don't feel uncomfortable. We want you to stay, don't we, Jamie?'

Jamie winked at Billie. 'Don't lie, Bill. Go on, Mum, fuck off home.'

Valerie chuckled as she headed to the kitchen. Sure sign her Jamie was back to his old self. His warped sense of humour was more than proof of his recovery.

Gingerly lifting himself off the chair, Jamie sloped over to the sofa.

'Come 'ere, you,' he ordered Billie.

Snuggling up next to him, Billie was careful not to press against his injuries.

'I ain't a fucking leper, you know,' Jamie said adamantly.

Billie grabbed his hand and pointed it towards DJ who was flat out in the armchair snoring his head off.

'Hark at him,' Jamie said, kissing Billie's hair. 'He sounds like one of them old boys in the hospital.'

Billie giggled. 'I haven't told you about my mum and her letters, have I?'

Jamie smiled. Sitting next to Billie again was the best feeling in the world and he was loving every minute of it.

'You told me you've been getting on all right and she's been phoning you.'

'There's more to it than that,' Billie said. 'She's changed so much, Jamie. She asks about you and DJ all the time. She seems so happy in there. She's become great friends with a woman called Jane. Apparently this Jane has had problems with drink, like Mum has, and I think she's been a good influence on her. They get on so well that Mum said in her last letter that Jane's going to move in with her. I think Mum's due out first and Jane's release date is a couple of weeks after her. Mum said they're gonna attend AA meetings together. She said that with Jane's support, she can overcome all of her past.'

Jamie started to laugh. Unable to stop himself, he held his stomach. 'I bet Jane's a dyke, Bill. I bet any money you like that your mother's turned into a raving lesbo.'

Billie was annoyed. 'Stop it. Don't say that.'

Jamie could barely speak for laughing. 'What's this Jane bird inside for then?'

Billie punched him on the arm. She loved him, but he was such a piss-taker.

'I don't know, Mum didn't say. She's probably a nice woman. You're so wicked, Jamie.'

Billie's annoyance made Jamie laugh all the more.

'Honestly, Bill. I bet Mummy's friend ain't no Kylie Minogue, I bet she looks more like fucking Phil Mitchell.'

'Shut up. You're not funny, Jamie.'

Valerie entering the room halted Billie's anger.

'Right. The washing-up's done. I'm off now and I'll ring you two lovebirds in the morning.'

Jamie stood up and hobbled towards his mother. He hugged her and kissed her on both cheeks.

'Thanks, Mum. Thanks for everything.'

Valerie left the house with tears in her eyes. Her Jamie was so happy with his family life and she'd been such a cow to him when he'd first told her about Billie.

'What do you wanna take on another man's child for? Meal ticket, that's all you are. You're a plonker, Jamie, a sucker for a sob story.'

As she remembered her vicious comments, Valerie started her car. She felt terrible now. At the time she hadn't met Billie. As a mother, she had wanted the best for her only child. She'd been wrong, completely wrong. Billie Jo and little DJ had been the making of her son. Jamie was now a man and no longer her little boy. Smiling, Valerie headed towards home.

Lying on the sofa together, Billie and Jamie had a proper cuddle. Having missed him more than words could say, Billie was unable to resist a kiss.

'No, behave yourself. I'm an invalid. You can't get me all excited, I'm not up for the job.'

Billie's bottom lip jutted out. Jamie had done nothing but make fun of her since he'd come home. Maybe he'd gone off her or fallen for one of the nurses?

Jamie clocked her childlike expression and smiled. When he was nervous, he joked. Tonight he had reason to be nervous.

'Billie, can I ask you something?'

'If it's about my mum or my cooking skills, don't bother,' Billie replied sulkily.

Jamie heaved his injured frame off the sofa and knelt down on one knee.

'Billie Jo, you mean the world to me. I love you so much and I wanna spend the rest of my life with you.'

As he noticed her startled expression, he pecked her on the nose. Smiling, he asked the all-important question. 'Will you marry me, Billie?'

Billie screamed, leapt off the sofa and jumped up and down.

'Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.'

DJ had been fast asleep. His mother's hysterics woke him up. Scanning the room to see if his nasty daddy had returned, he was relieved to see just his mum and Jamie.

'Whatsa matter, Mummy? Has Daddy come back again?' he asked nervously.

Scooping him into her arms, Billie swung DJ around the room.

'Guess what? Mummy and Jamie are getting married. And we want you to be pageboy.'

DJ giggled. He had no idea what pageboy meant, but he knew it must be something nice. Putting his thumb in his mouth, he sucked on it hard. He had something to say, something to ask.

Releasing his thumb, he held on to Billie's neck. 'Mummy.'

'What, darling?'

'Will Jamie be my new daddy?'

Billie Jo looked DJ in the eyes. 'Only if you want him to be.'

DJ smiled. 'I do, Mummy, I do.'

Billie looked at Jamie. No words were needed. Their smiles said it all.